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The Woodland Orchard @thewoodlandorchard.bsky.social · 25d

Initial thoughts from the Agroforestry Show - part 1

open.substack.com/pub/thewoodl...

Initial thoughts from the Agroforestry Show - part 1

A Slow Van & Accelerating Change

open.substack.com

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The Woodland Orchard @thewoodlandorchard.bsky.social · Jul 21

Looking forward to our next live event in North Lincolnshire, UK this coming Sunday, 27th July.

If anyone is in the area please do come down for chat about food forests, coppicing, dead hedging, and tree-based nature friendly growing systems.

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The Woodland Orchard @thewoodlandorchard.bsky.social · May 30

We're looking forward to our first live events with The Woodland Orchard this year.

Come to see us (if you're in or near Lincolnshire, UK this summer) at the Riverlight Festival, Sleaford and the Waters Edge Wildlife Day, Barton-upon-Humber.

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The Woodland Orchard @thewoodlandorchard.bsky.social · May 6

I never get tired of this walk, even when it's leading to some back breaking work!

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The Woodland Orchard @thewoodlandorchard.bsky.social · Apr 15

From a grass paddock to this, after almost 20 years.

There is structure here, but it cradles chaos.

The Woodland Orchard @thewoodlandorchard.bsky.social · Apr 9

First harvest from our latest, urban permaculture project.

Pot grown rhubarb.

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The Woodland Orchard @thewoodlandorchard.bsky.social · Apr 2

The Woodland Orchard @thewoodlandorchard.bsky.social · Mar 15

My take on the astonishing decision by the Dartington Trust to threaten the future of the Agroforestry Research Trust forest garden.

open.substack.com/pub/thewoodl...

A Change To Our Advertised Programme: The Most Important Temperate Food Forest Comes Under Threat

Agroforestry Research Trust Given Notice To Quit

open.substack.com

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The Woodland Orchard @thewoodlandorchard.bsky.social · Mar 14

Terrible news from Martin at the Agroforestry Research Trust, who's work was absolutely the main inspiration behind the creation of The Woodland Orchard

Details on how you may be able to help in the link

www.agroforestry.co.uk/save-darting...

Save the Dartington Forest Garden - The Agroforestry Research Trust

www.agroforestry.co.uk

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The Woodland Orchard @thewoodlandorchard.bsky.social · Mar 14

I did think about honey bees a while back but didn't want to introduce competition for the ground nesting bees that were here. That may or may not have been clear thinking. I'll take a look at the above link, which is a concept new to me. Thank you.

The Woodland Orchard @thewoodlandorchard.bsky.social · Mar 13

Thanks again for reading and commenting. It is much appreciated! Best wishes, John.

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The Woodland Orchard @thewoodlandorchard.bsky.social · Mar 13

... It's not that the ground is coated with them but it's easy not to notice that one has popped up as they emerge seemingly from nowhere. This year I've been auditing the early flowering to ensure that I can improve support for early pollinators in the future.

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The Woodland Orchard @thewoodlandorchard.bsky.social · Mar 13

... The interventions I make (cutting at the base at the right time of the year) maximises the benefits of the Ivy whilst supporting other functions. Yes, we have 100s of ground nesting Bees, to the extent that you have to be careful where you walk in Spring to avoid them...

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The Woodland Orchard @thewoodlandorchard.bsky.social · Mar 13

... particularly in the Hazel hedge (aka Linear Nut Orchard), where it can overcome the Hazel and cause issues from shading. Similarly it tends to get under the pan tiles of an old building, lifting them and causing issues that way...

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The Woodland Orchard @thewoodlandorchard.bsky.social · Mar 13

Thank you David. Absolutely agree with you. Dandelions (and the fact that I now try to help them spread) are the best illustration of my transformation from conventional thinking to where I am now. The Ivy is equally welcomed but it does need some interventions...

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The Woodland Orchard @thewoodlandorchard.bsky.social · Mar 13

The fourth and final part of my current series on Substack was published this week.

Next up... A series on the kitchen garden/permaculture zone 1.

substack.com/@thewoodland...

Permaculture does not seek to control nature, or does it?

Part 4 of “Permaculture is going mainstream. So why am I worried?”

substack.com

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The Woodland Orchard @thewoodlandorchard.bsky.social · Mar 5

Today's office.

Overcoming writers block by leaving the laptop behind in favour of a park by a river.

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The Woodland Orchard @thewoodlandorchard.bsky.social · Feb 24

Moving Hazels.

Originally planted by a squirrel which spent some time here in the last couple of years, these Hazels are being transferred into the pleached hedge on the edge of the orchard.

This 'linear nut orchard' replaced an unproductive conifer hedge and now gives an occasional nut crop.

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The Woodland Orchard @thewoodlandorchard.bsky.social · Feb 24

First frog spawn of 2025 at The Woodland Orchard - 24th Feb.

The year has started!

The Woodland Orchard @thewoodlandorchard.bsky.social · Feb 23

"This is where permaculture happens"

Part 3 of my Substack series is now available, in which I argue that there is no such thing as a permaculture technique, but there are permaculture decisions.

open.substack.com/pub/thewoodl...

This is where permaculture happens.

Part 3 of “Permaculture is going mainstream. So why am I worried?”

open.substack.com

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The Woodland Orchard @thewoodlandorchard.bsky.social · Feb 14

I agree. That's really been the motivation behind this series. It would be such a shame if the foundations are lost. BTW, I will come to ethics later in the series. Thank you for your comment. Regards, John.

The Woodland Orchard @thewoodlandorchard.bsky.social · Feb 13

The second article in my new substack series is now published. I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts, and grateful if you could share the post.

Many thanks, John.

open.substack.com/pub/thewoodl...

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The Woodland Orchard @thewoodlandorchard.bsky.social · Feb 11

open.substack.com/pub/thewoodl...

Inbox | Substack

open.substack.com

The Woodland Orchard @thewoodlandorchard.bsky.social · Feb 11

If we don’t grasp the foundational concepts, is permaculture at risk of becoming just another gardening trend?

In my latest series of articles, I explore why this matters.

Link in the comments...

#Permaculture #RegenerativeDesign #Ethics #Principles

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The Woodland Orchard @thewoodlandorchard.bsky.social · Jan 21

Delighted to be awarded my Permaculture Design Certificate by the Permaculture Research Institute.

Valuable learning even after 20 years learning "on the ground".

Next up: A design review for the orchard & fresh designs for two new sites!

#permaculture #PDC #regeneration #neverstoplearning

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